BlackSword

Re: Order of the Stick

Do you like comics about gladiators?

 

JG

Comics about gladiators are fine, but I prefer less loin and more cloth.

Re: The HERO Basic Game Box

My idea would be:

• Quick Start rules: Something like the Hero System in 2 pages, but expanded. Basically cover the dice rolls, how to read the dice and resolve conflict, etc. Also basic character creation, built on points, this is how many points it costs to buy stats, powers. special abilities, etc are bought with points. Don't get into the nitty gritty of building powers from scratch.
  
• Setting/genre book: This book will detail the setting and genre it is written for. Provide some explanation at the beginning, this book uses ideas from genre book X (Fantasy Hero), built around the campaign idea Z (Humorous Fantasy). Book will contain setting specific packages for races, professions, cultures. Also setting specific hindrances. Spells, powers have a set point cost, with maybe 2 options, similar to how most of the "pre-built" books have been (USPD). Spells/powers will not have detailed write-up, with all the +1/4, -1/2, etc, just verbal descriptions of advantages and limitations. Spell requires verbal components to be said, a sprinkling of material, arm waving and creates a 5d6 fireball 3m in diameter, Cost: 5 points.
  
• The Nitty Gritty: This book will provide all the details behind how spells are made, this will be the background for people who want to start getting into it, understanding the system. Provide detailed explanation and examples for how things are constructed, and direction to the Hero Basic rulebook and Hero Tomes.
  
• Deluxe Box: 3 collectible Hero dice
  
• Super Deluxe Box: One of those Chessex cubes of dice
  

I do like the idea of including maps and counters.

Re: What Have You Watched Recently?

Nicktoons has been playing Avatar: The Last Airbender all this month, so recorded and watched pretty much the entire series (maybe about 89% of the episodes). Its a good series with a lot of interesting plots woven together.

Re: Malthesitic Fantasy Universes

Sounds intriguing' date=' but there are a few problems with such a construct.[/quote']

From some of your comments two things sprang to mind.

1) DC's Apokolips and Darkseid. The ruler is cruel, violent, and near omnipotent. Those that follow him do so because it allows them power on the world. PCs would be either government workers trying to move up, or freedom fighters trying to free themselves, or the world of the rule.

2) Thinking of some Star Trek encounters, with powerful beings as 'gods' of a planet. Could be a malevolent being that was exiled from his people and choose a planet, or just a 'child' who doesn't know any better. Again priests would serve him as a way to (usually) be spared his wrath and have a level of power on the planet. The rest would be subjects. The being is not omnipotent or all-powerful, just orders of magnitude more powerful than people on the planet.

Re: Musings on Random Musings

It's an acquired taste.

Taste? I think you are supposed to put the support on the bridge of your nose, not your tongue.

Re: Foods for those that just don't care anymore

I've gotta say' date=' I don't see the physical appeal of Giada. Her head is enormous and her smile is creepy at best. And the camera is always shooting from above which makes her freakishly large head look even freakishly larger![/quote']

I find her quite attractive, though I think some of the appeal comes from the fact the wardrobe department only stocks low cut tops.

Re: Musings on Random Musings

I only wear neckties a few times a year for occasions that call for it (interviews, weddings). I always use a full windsor knot.

Re: What Have You Watched Recently?

Best Buy had Psych season 1 and 2 shrinkwrapped together for a price cheaper than either season alone. I picked up the set and have been watching the first couple of seasons over the past few weeks. The cast has great chemistry, even at the beginning, though mid-way through the first season they hit their stride. Basically an hour long episode of two guys cracking wise and solving a crime in the last five minutes.

Re: Martial Arts iiinnn ssspppaaaccceee!!! Which style is flexible enough?

I should have mentioned the thigh muscles, but I'm still leery.

 

In the hanging bar example, the person you would be striking would have to be positioned so that his chin or whatever was above the knee. Gravity would be pulling them down, in effect holding them in place for the knee. Now imaginge doing the same thing to a big helium ballon. It would just float away. In microgavity, you would both rebound and float away from whatever mutual attachment point you had established before the knee strike. Unless some physics maven here can explain it a little better, that seem right to me. One halfway decent shot followed by readjustment.

 

Too bad we can't convince NASA to launch two MMA fighter into orbit, so they could try this stuff out.

Don't need to put them in orbit, use the Vomit Comet.

Re: What Have You Watched Recently?

Watched "The Adventures of Barn Munchausen" saturday night. I had forgotten what a fun romp that movie is.

Re: What Fantasy/Sci-Fi book have you just finished? Please rate it...

I gave her a little more of a pass. By the last book she had a lot of loose ends to tie up' date=' and if she'd written it with "more heart" the book would have been twice as long and would probably have loosened up more strings. Considering she was basically writing under a microscope, with everyone on the internet ready to jump all over any mistake no matter how small, she almost certainly had to involve a small committee in the writing of the book, otherwise she'd have gone mad.[/quote']

My main complaint was that half of the book was spent with Harry, Ron, and Hermione sitting in the woods bemoaning how bad their lot in life was. I enjoyed the book, and the series, but for me, parts of the last book kinda drug on.

Re: New Gamers

I don't think there is an appreciable part of the population that doesn't know what an RPG is anymore' date=' not after MMORPGs. Might find it quaint that no computer is necessary.[/quote']

To me, I could see the value in describing the differences between a CRPG an MMORPG and pen and paper. Specifically bringing up the shortcomings of those mediums, and how pen and paper can provide a different experience.

Re: What Have You Watched Recently?

Archer' date=' that new animated series on FX, is hilarious. It is like a bad James Bond flick on dope, with rampant sex references and over-the-top violence. Well, I guess sex references and violence are what James Bond movies are about, but you know what I'm trying to say. It's vodka-martini-through-your-nose funny. You can check out many of the episodes on Hulu if you don't have cable. Really nice looking Flash animation too.[/quote']

Archer is awesome and has some of the best lines. The interaction in the office is a lot of fun to for just how dysfunctional all of the employees are.

Re: Replacing the Speed chart with a shot system

I'm not sure how I ended up being such a proponent of RAW. I'm usually the one that likes to tear apart the system and stick it to the man before he sticks it to me. Huh.

 

This is far from the first time someone has brought up an alteration or replacement of the SPD Chart. I always ask 'why?' If you want to change how much DEX costs, that is a fairly (as it goes) insular and limited change in scope. Changing the SPD chart is not only going to change the actions during combat but duration effects, healing and recoveries, movement, adjustment powers and a whole host of other things.

I have had similar thoughts about using a shot system as described, and there were plenty of parts of the system that tinkering with speed touches on.

What is it about the SPD Chart that was not working for you?

I like the Speed chart, but I also like the 'shot' initiative scheme from Feng Shui and Scion (and I think its also used in Exalted). I like the idea of that some events take longer than others, and that sometimes you can sacrifice power for speed.

Re: What Do You Do with a Dog in a Dungeon?

It has to be better than eating live kobolds.... EEEW!

I thought kobolds were like lobsters, you have to cook them live.

Re: Postapocalytpic Antarctica (Problems/Questions)?

South Georgia Island is a bit away from the mainland, but the map shows the krill density in the waters surrounding the antarctic peninsula, as well as some nice pictures of the ruins of the whaling station. Gives at least some idea of the critters that live down that way.

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/12/south-georgia/brower-text

Re: Real Locations that should be fantasy

Pictures speak for themselves.

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/11/crystal-giants/shea-text

Re: THE HERO SYSTEM BESTIARY: What Do *You* Want To See?

Oh and another thought.

 

A lot of these monsters have the same type of attacks (fangs, claws, and so on...) maybe one section of the book should have a section on animal attacks or "weapons" that has the basic write up of all of these standard attacks. Then the actual character sheet of the creature can just say Sharp Claws 2d6 pg.XX and a page reference number. Much like is done with Mystical villains who's spells are just named with a page number reference for looking up the spell. This would save a ton of room in the book, and on the creature character sheets.

 

Special attacks (for example Armor Piercing Claws) could be written up: Sharp Claws (+AP) 2d6 pg.XX

And descriptions of attacks (when needed) could also be added in: Dragon Breath (Ice) 5d6(AE:Cone) pg.XX

 

I think a write up style like this would make the book much more user friendly (and probably easier and quicker to write) then having to read/write a full power description every time or basically the same thing.

 

Of course any unique attacks or powers would still be written up in full on the sheet, but so many of these monsters and creatures have the same base attacks and powers it make a lot more sense to have one section describing all of these in full, and just putting a quick reference on the sheet.

 

At least in my opinion.

This did give me the thought that I wouldn't mind seeing a 'random' monster table. Several tables that have large/medium/small, hairy/scaly/gooey, claws/teeth/tail. I rarely use such tables randomly, but they are great for doing quick glances and putting together a unique critter.

Re: Expanded Hero System Martial Arts Bibliography

Roleplaying Game: Jadeclaw

Re: Common 6E House Rules

I'm reluctant to ignore REC - why buy it if they don't get to use it? But I do follow Fearghus' approach - not everyone is going to fight until they can fight no more. If the battle turns against them' date=' most villains will look for an escape before they're KO'd, and slinking away after recovering from a KO is even more likely.[/quote']

Difference in philosophy. I typically don't build my villains like a character. I pick out the powers and basic values I want and notate them in a small stat block. This way I can list multiple villains on a single sheet of paper and don't have to keep shuffling between NPCs to find the villain I need. During the course of combat I usually tweak the villains a bit. My games tend to be very organic, so I like the flexibility.

Re: Common 6E House Rules

There'sa definite tradeoff here. On the one hand' date=' being out of the fight can be quite frustrating for the player, especially if he gets KO'd early on. However, on the other hand, a wider ability to recover quickly means longer combats. As well, it means more incentive to "hit him when he's down" so he won't keep recovering, which never seems alll that heroic. There needs to be a point at which the character is defeated if combat is ever going to end.[/quote']

Typically when I run the vast majority of villains have no recovery, once they hit zero stun they are unconscious. When I am using villains with recovery (typically only 'named' NPCs) I tend to decrease their recovery every turn, once they are below -10 Stun they also get no recovery. I make it clear that between 0 and -10 they are not 'down' but are punch drunk, so they can give a final knockout punch, but does not require a team curb stomping of an opponent.

Re: one for the browncoats with big wallets

I was hoping to see a house that was built to the same floorplans as the ship.

Re: battle Wear vs. Town Wear

"Deprotagonize" is used on some boards to mean "taking away a player's control over his character"' date=' usually by means of some kind of personality mechanic. Wouldn't apply to Disadvantages/Complications because the player takes those voluntarily, and knows (or should know) their consequences. If the GM says to you, "You feel hungry, let me roll your EGO roll..." "Looky there, you missed. You immediately go for the large pile of food right there in front of you..." that's deprotagonization.[/quote']

So if a player were wearing armor that was, say, OIF, it could be expected that the point break he got for making his defense a focus could come up and it would not be considered deprotagnization since the player choose to use OIF.

Re: Plasma Rocket!

This is great news. Good to know that this is finally being developed. BTW: why do we need to go to Mars? BECAUSE IT'S THERE AND IT'S A MYSTERY! Seriously do we need a better reason than that? Except for the fact the humans will always be able to do things robots can't. Like say "H'mmm' date=' I wonder what's behind [i']that[/i] hill? I know, I'll go and look."

Using Spirit as example, it was able to operate 21 times the length of its planned mission. A human could go beyond that hill, if he had the food, water and oxygen to get him there. Spirit getting stuck shows one limitation of a robotic rover, but the longevity of the mission in a harsh environment shows the definite advantages.

Re: Star Wars licence news...

True' date=' Cad Bane was entertaining. Still, last I looked in the Star Wars Saga Rules. I've got the Bounty Hunter Class, I've got the custom Guns, I've got the Duros Race. I've got the Clone Wars book for the Era stuff. So.........[/quote']

I didn't make the comment with response that WotC didn't need more books, just responding to the comment that you have to be '8 years old' to like the current Clone War cartoon. Generally I agree that WotC is limited to canon for what they can produce, however stories are still being produced in various media. They could also expand on what they have, campaigns, adventures, more details, etc; but it seems that it is not worth the cost or effort.